Manchester City have so far failed to sign a left-back over the summer, forcing Pep Guardiola to stick with Joao Cancelo in the makeshift role while Kyle Walker stays on the right.
The 28-year-old was outstanding at left-back last season, keeping Oleksandr Zinchenko out of the starting eleven on merit, but he’s looked human this campaign which may start to worry Pep Guardiola.
Cancelo put in a poor performance in Man City’s 3-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Community Shield on July 30 and was exposed by Mohamed Salah countless times. The Portuguese international was beaten in one-v-ones by a player who had a hand in 47 goals last season, but he won’t face Salah every week.
City’s 2-0 win over West Ham on August 7 saw Cancelo put in a better offensive performance, but he still struggled defensively. Sean Walsh of 90min gave the 28-year-old a player rating of 6/10 and said he had some ‘garish moments’.
Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News gave Cancelo a player rating of 6/10 and said he had a ‘sticky start’ after relinquishing possession but did get more comfortable as the game went on. Only Ruben Dias gave away more foul than Cancelo against West Ham and the latter picked up a booking.
It’s still early in the season, but Guardiola will surely want another left-back signed before the transfer window shuts.
Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte can operate in the makeshift role while Josh Wilson-Esbrand is a future option, but Guardiola has to replace Zinchenko after his move to Arsenal.
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